Foggy Weather Hits Northern India Airports, Airlines Warn Passengers of Delays

Dense fog and poor visibility severely disrupted flight operations across northern India on December 29, 2025, prompting major airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India, to issue travel advisories and cancel or delay numerous flights. At around 11 a.m., IndiGo announced that foggy conditions persisted at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and several other northern airports, leading to reduced visibility and significant operational challenges. Earlier in the day, IndiGo cancelled approximately 80 flights across its network due to the adverse weather, with many more experiencing delays as air traffic control imposed restrictions and alternate routing.

SpiceJet also urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport, citing the widespread fog that affected not only Delhi but also key regional hubs in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, and Assam. Airlines reported that low visibility forced diversions, holding patterns, and, in some cases, cancellations, particularly impacting early morning and late evening services. The situation was exacerbated by the winter season's typical dense fog episodes in the Indo-Gangetic plains, which often reduce runway visual range below safe operational thresholds and strain airport infrastructure.

Air India extended its advisory to include potential disruptions on Tuesday, December 30, warning that poor visibility could continue to affect departures and arrivals at multiple cities, including Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Patna, and Guwahati. Passengers were advised to monitor airline apps and websites or contact customer service for real-time updates, with many carriers offering flexible rebooking options or waivers on change fees for affected tickets. Airports in the impacted regions activated low-visibility procedures, including the use of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) Category II/III where available, though persistent fog limited their effectiveness in some cases.

Also Read: Flight Operations Stabilize at Chandigarh Airport With Major Drop in IndiGo Cancellations

The widespread disruptions highlight the recurring challenge of winter fog for India's aviation sector, particularly in the northern belt, where millions of passengers travel during the holiday season. Authorities and airlines have urged travelers to plan extra buffer time, avoid non-essential journeys if possible, and stay informed through official channels. As meteorological forecasts indicate continued foggy conditions over the next few days, passengers are advised to remain vigilant, with airlines working closely with the Airports Authority of India to minimize inconvenience and ensure safety amid the challenging weather.

Also Read: IndiGo Cancels Over 90 Flights Nationwide, Sparking Major Travel Disruptions